"What I've told him to focus on are the reasons he can make it," Nelson said. "He's a great shooter. He's unbelievably athletic. He's smart. He's a great teammate. And he's the hardest worker I've ever played with."

Nelson, who just signed a new contract with Greek team Aris Thessaloniki, thinks there is certainly a spot for his fellow Aggie in Europe somewhere.

"We'd have to look at the situation," Carroll, who also played for the Toronto Raptors' summer league squad in Las Vegas a week ago, said. "I know I can play somewhere. But right now, I don't have anything firm set up. That's what I'm trying to do: Get some exposure, get noticed and convince a team I'm ready to play for them."

The rugged schedule of practicing in New Jersey, playing summer league games in Orlando, then Las Vegas and now in Utah has kept Carroll constantly on the go — much like he is when playing the game.

His wife, Baylee, is expecting the couple's first child. Upon entering the gym at Salt Lake Community College on Monday, it was her that his new teammates wanted to see most.

Brook Lopez, New Jersey's lottery-pick 7-footer, playfully teased Carroll about being back in Utah in front of friends and family and the free-agent promised his new friend he'd get a big hug.

"I really love playing with these guys," Carroll said. "I'm learning something every day with them and I think I'm getting better."

With training camp officially set to open in September, Carroll is hoping he'll have a contract — preferably one of the guaranteed variety — in place. Regardless, he's not lacking in confidence about his ability to provide a valuable resource for an NBA team.

He was named to the Orlando summer league second team after averaging more than 13 points per game and is getting his share of attention from Nets brass and media with his usually steady play.

"I think anyone that is willing to pull the trigger on me will get their money's worth," Carroll said. "I'll play hard every day. I'll practice hard every day. I'll do all the little things they want a guy to do.

"If someone takes a chance on me, they won't regret it."

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E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com